Dwelling in Watchfulness: A Weekend for People with a Concern for Ministry

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This weekend is intended for Friends who are active in vocal ministry, have perhaps had their consistent service recognized by their meetings, and in some way carry in themselves a sense of having a special drawing to and gift for such ministry. The weekend will be a time to explore how our service is rooted in the life of our meetings, our growth in the gift, growing edges, inward work, challenges and joys. All attenders are asked to (re)read Samuel Bownas’s A Description of the Qualifications Necessary to a Gospel Minister. We will also make use of excerpts from Bownas’s Journal, and other ministers’ accounts of their lives and work.

Brian Drayton, of Souhegan (NH) Meeting (New England Yearly Meeting), is a plant ecologist working in science education. A recognized minister, he has traveled extensively among Friends. He has also given workshops, retreats, and addresses on topics in Quaker history and belief for many Friends meetings, and has a particular concern to encourage ministers. His On Living With a Concern for Gospel Ministry has been among the best selling Quaker books of the past few years. More recent writings include A Language for the Inward Landscape (co-authored with William Taber), and the Pendle Hill pamphlets Getting Rooted and James Nayler Speaking.